Festivals Madeira Island

Festivals Madeira Island

Madeira has various big festivals, mostly concentrated in the capital Funchal, and then a lot of minor ones around the island.

Most of the minor festivals are celebrating the patron saint of this or that village, and most of them are from after of Easter to the beginning of Lent. In Seixal it is Santo Antão, 17th of January. Try the espetada made in the street. You also have here O Panelão in Chão da Ribeira, where all participants bring some food and all is cooked in enormous cozidos, a local stew. This is in the end of January. In the end of August you have the traditional Arraial in Seixal, that is a village feast. However, every weekend there is a feast in one of the villages.

The bigger festivals are most celebrated in Funchal, but partly also all over the island.

The first is Carnival. The big parade is in Funchal, but each village and town have their own. This festival go over several days and end with the beginning of Lent.

In the last weekend of April is the flower festival. This is a parade with music, dancing and an enormous display of flowers.

In June we have the Festival do Atlántico, a firework display every Saturday in Funchal. Part of this is conceding with the Madeira Music Festival.

August is the time of the Rally Vinho da Madeira. Big international stars compete for the cup.

September is the Wine festival. It is the harvest of the grapes, making of wine and all the music and fun along with this.

Then, in the end of the year is Christmas and New Year. Madeira is celebrating this, dressed like a queen in light and colors, and the firework in the New Year Eve is breathtaking.

Festivals Madeira Island

Activities